Rehabilitation Act
Amendments of 1973 are passed, requiring accessibility for persons with
disabilities.

1974

Richard Nixon resigns.

1975

AASCU was the first U.S. higher education association invited to the
Peoples Republic of China, leading to the establishment of the Chinese
Education Association for International Exchange (CEAIE) in 1981.

1977

Apple introduces the first personal computer.

1978

Supreme Court decides Regents of the University of California v. Bakke,
upholding use of affirmative action for purposes of diversity in
education.

1979

AASCU began program for spouses of presidents and chancellors.

President Jimmy Carter establishes the United States Department of
Education.

1980

Ronald Reagan is elected president.

1983

In response to A Nation at Risk, the Department of Education’s study of
America’s schools, AASCU established the Task Force on Excellence in
Education to help AASCU institutions strengthen teacher preparation and
improve teacher competence.

1985

AASCU published Minorities in Higher Education a study that was
regularly quoted in the media and referenced by policy makers in the
years that followed.

Task Force on Economic Development established
to help AASCU institutions in initiating their involvement in economic
development activities.

1986

AASCU established the National Commission on the Role and Future of
State Colleges and Universities, chaired by former U.S. Secretary of
Education Terrel H. Bell.

1987

Christa McAuliffe Excellence in Teacher Education award established.

1988

George H.W. Bush elected President.

1989

AASCU presidents voted to give system executives full membership
privileges, including the right to vote and hold office in the
association.

The University of Phoenix becomes the first institution to offer online bachelor’s and master’s degrees.

The Berlin Wall is dismantled.

1990

AASCU established the New Presidents’ Academy.

Americans with
Disabilities Act passed expanding protections for students and
employees.

1991

James B. Appleberry became AASCU’s second president.

AASCU
undertakes first strategic planning initiative.

1992

AASCU began a national retention project to assist states in improving
academic success for underrepresented undergraduate students.

Bill Clinton elected President.

1997

AASCU spearheaded the effort to save funding for Title X, the Urban
Community Service Grant Program.

1998

AASCU moved its offices to 1307 New York Avenue, NW, partnering with
three other associations to purchase the former Washington Star
building.

The Higher Education Act is reauthorized and amended,
requiring institutions and states to produce “report cards” about
teacher education.

1999

Constantine W. “Deno” Curris became AASCU’s third president.

AASCU
announced the establishment of the Office of Teacher Education.

AASCU launched the Millennium Leadership Initiative (MLI).

2000

AASCU created the Task Force on Public Engagement, which focused on the
institutionalization of public engagement throughout universities.

The 1+2+1 Program is launched as an association-wide exchange program
with China.

George W. Bush elected President.

2001

The 9/11 terror attacks occur.

2002

AASCU partnered with the Chinese Education Association for International
Exchange (CEAIE) to establish the Leadership Training Project for
university administrators.

2003

In partnership with The New York Times, AASCU began the American
Democracy Project (ADP)

Supreme Court again upholds affirmative
action to achieve diversity, but not strict numerically based admissions
decisions, in a pair of University of Michigan cases.

2004

AASCU launched the Making Place Matter pilot project, aimed at
cultivating state colleges and universities as stewards of their
regions.

2005

AASCU launched its magazine, Public Purpose.

Hurricane Katrina hits
the Gulf Coast and many college students in New Orleans are accepted as
temporary transfer students by colleges throughout the country.

2007

AASCU’s trip to Liberia marked the renewal of the association’s work in
the country.

2008

Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008 is signed into law,
establishing new spending programs along with new reporting and
record-keeping requirements.